Joe Root heads into the Ashes, beginning on Friday in Perth, ranked as the world's best batsman with a colossal 39 Test hundreds to his name... but still waiting for his first ton in Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Only Sachin Tendulkar has scored more than Root's 13,543 Test runs and the retired Indian's tally of nearly 15,921 looks within reach of the 34-year-old Englishman.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Root's return of 892 runs in 14 Tests in Australia at an average of 35.68 is not shabby and for his many admirers, his lack of a Test century Down Under is not a huge deal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But other observers believe Root must reach three figures in Australia to cement his status among the best ever to wield a bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Darren Lehmann, Australia's coach when they swept the 2013\/14 Ashes series 5-0, said Root needs to break his duck to be considered an "all-time great" alongside Virat Kohli of India, Australia's Steve Smith and New Zealander Kane Williamson.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Darren Gough agrees the pressure is on the former captain to deliver despite his astonishing achievements.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If the batsman "wants to be truly regarded as a world great" he needs a century in Australia, the former England paceman told Talksport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
- 'Not like he's failed' -<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n But former Australia captain Ian Chappell believes the debate is overblown.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "His record in Australia -- OK, he hasn't made a hundred, but he still averages 35 in Australia which is not bad... It's not like he's failed in Australia," Chappell told Wide World of Sports.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "He's made decent scores -- he just hasn't got a hundred."<\/p>\r\n\r\n Given Root's orthodox technique and proven ability to bat for long periods, it is surprising the Yorkshireman has such a glaring hole on his CV.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Several factors are in play, starting with his fondness for scoring runs behind square on the off side -- a hugely productive area but one that is risky on Australian pitches that are among the quickest in the world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "Clearly, the late glide through third man that he plays on a regular basis in the UK, it does just bounce a little bit more (in Australia)," former England captain Michael Vaughan told the BBC.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Another issue is that Root has faced fast bowlers in peak form on previous tours, with left-armer Mitchell Johnson dominating the 2013\/14 series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc -- all of whom are still active -- were central figures over the following two Ashes series in Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n When Hazlewood was sidelined in the 2021\/22 Ashes, Australia were able to turn to Scott Boland, who dismissed Root four times in three Tests.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Leaving aside his personal achievements, Root's experiences with England in Australia have not been happy ones.<\/p>\r\n\r\n England last won an away Ashes series in 2010\/11 and their recent record in Australia is pitiful, with 13 defeats and two draws in 15 Tests.<\/p>\r\n\r\n But unlike the previous two Ashes tours, Root is no longer the England captain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Without the burden of leadership, he has scored 14 Test hundreds since coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes joined forces in 2022.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Root, who previously explained he had wanted a hundred in Australia "too much", said last month: "I used to be very technical in how I prepared.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "I'd want to make sure that everything felt lined up and my feet were in the right place, my head position was correct. But I'm a lot more mentally focused."<\/p>\r\n\r\n Steve Harmison, a former Ashes-winning fast bowler for England, believes Root is on course to end his hoodoo.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "The trajectory of the way he's been playing means you expect him to rock up and get a couple of hundreds," he told Talksport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "I think he'll get a couple of hundreds out there because great players do when the big series are on -- they stand up.Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/h5>
\r\n <\/p>\r\n",
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